Battle Creek City Commission OKs ethics code changes

Battle Creek city commissioners now have a policy to follow if any of them are suspected of violating their ethics code.

Commissioners voted 8-1 Tuesday to approve ordinance changes that revise their ethics code, which is signed at the beginning of their terms. Commissioner Jeff Domenico cast the dissenting vote.

Under the changes, the commission is able to find one of its members in violation of the ethics code through a majority vote after a public hearing. At least three commissioners must call for the hearing.

It was the final step in a two-vote process to approve the ordinance, which goes into effect in 10 days. At the last commission meeting, Domenico cast a vote against introducing the changes, citing concerns over a time limit on comments from the commissioner suspected of violating the code and no ability to cross-examine witnesses.

If a commissioner is found to have violated the code, the rest of the commission will take a vote to decide what sanctions, if any, will be imposed. Possible punishments include reprimand, formal censure, loss of committee assignment and budget or travel restrictions. There are three levels of sanctions, based on the violation and whether subsequent violations occur.

The four-person Ethics and Meeting Rules Committee has worked on the changes for months. Though the ethics code has been in place since 2004, there has not been a detailed policy on how to handle alleged violations until now.

No formal accusations of violations have been made since the code was implemented, but earlier this year then-Mayor Dave Walters sat down with Domenico to discuss emails in which Domenico criticized the police chief search and questioned the integrity of two city employees.

Call Jennifer Bowman at 966-0589. Follow her on Twitter: @jenn_bowman

In other business

Also Tuesday, commissioners:

•Began a four-month pilot program changing public-comment guidelines for the resolution portion of the commission’s meeting agenda. Domenico cast the lone dissenting vote.

•Adopted ordinance changes to allow sidewalk signs in the Old Lakeview area.

•Approved a special use permit for a licensed group daycare home at 387 Waubascon Road.

•Authorized a resolution to approve funding for designing the rehabilitation of a W.K. Kellogg Airport runway. Of the $266,000 cost, the city will pay $13,300 while the rest will be covered by state and federal grants.